Claim to Fame: While the menu changes frequently, there is one item–the burger–that has remained since Chef J. Mark Hand started running the “Deck” 4 years ago. Due to overwhelming request, the burger has been added year after year, and is now referred to as the “4 year old burger”. Look for it next summer, when it will be one year older. I wonder what it will receive for its sweet sixteen?

Flat Rock Cellars: 2727 Seventh Avenue, Jordan (905-562-8994)
Rather than having a “standard” restaurant on premises, this is the weekend home of food truck El Gastronomo Vagabundo (written about previously here)
Open Fridays (3pm-6pm), Saturdays (12-7pm) and Sundays (12-6pm) until September 25th
Serves: Asian-inspired cuisine (fried chicken balls, Korean BBQ wings, etc)
Prices are in the $6-$10 range

Claim to Fame: Pioneers of the #FoodTruckEats movement, can be spotted throughout the month of September around the GTA for mini #FoodTruckEats pop-ups, and (writer’s note) their t-shirts are magic–when wearing it, I won $200 in Vegas.

Cave Spring Cellars: 3836 Main Street, Jordan (1-905-562-3581 for the winery: 1-905-562-5336 for the restaurant)
Open Monday-Saturday lunch 11:30-3pm, and brunch on Sunday from 11:30-3pm. Also open for dinner starting at 5pm.
Serves: soups, sandwiches, salads, pasta, quiche, and other entrees. Also offers a three-course Winemaker’s Lunch
Prices: $15 range for sandwiches and $19-$21 for entrees. The Winemaker’s Lunch is $29 without wine and $35 with wine

Claim to Fame: On The Twenty Restaurant, along with Vineland Estate Winery’s Resturant (below) were recently named, by Wine Access magazine, to the top 20 world’s best winery restaurants.

Claim to Fame: Chef Justin Downes was born and raised in Niagara, and recently took the reigns as Executive Chef. With stints cooking in other countries, he started his career at Vineland Estates when he was fourteen. Next time you’re in, ask him about the stolen asparagus.

Beamsville, ONThe Good Earth Food & Wine Company: 4556 Lincoln Avenue, Beamsville (1-905-563-6333)
Suresh recently attended, and wrote about, his lunch experience at The Good Earth.
Open: daily from 11am-3:30pm; during September they are offering a “Happy Hour” from 3pm-5pm with a modified snack menu.
Serving: salad, charcuterie board, cheese platter, a daily tartine (open-faced sandwich)
Prices: $14-$15 for most items

Claim to Fame: If you notice in the name, food comes first–and that’s the philosophy of this food company turned winery. Never will baby (lamb, pig; choose your protein) be put in the corner here. In addition to eating their food, you can also learn to prepare it, with a cooking school on premises.

Part 2 will feature some wineries in St. Catherines and Niagara-on-the-Lake that also serve food.